Reluctant sensation: Chooka Parker will tonight play his heart out in the first of two grand finals in Australia’s Got Talent.
CHOOKA Parker is an accidental superstar.He never wanted fame, “coz I’m just Chooka”, says the reluctant idol from Channel Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent.The Red Lion musical sensation played his heart out on the keyboard in the first of two grand finals in the popular talent show.Click the video to view Chooka's grand final performanceThe 17-year-old is up against other finalists including singers Jack Vidgen and Bree DeRome, as well as illusionist Cosentino and will be hoping to be named the winner at the show’s decider episode to air in a fortnight. The winner of the show will receive $250,000.Chooka said yesterday he did not anticipate his success when he auditioned for the show. “I was hoping to go a little way, but I didn’t want to be the next media hit,” the teenager said from his home in the small community outside Maryborough. “I thought it would be a fun little show to be involved in, but now it seems I have turned into a media industry,” Chooka said.But he swears his instant fame has not changed him. “I’m just Chooka, I’m not anything special,” he said.“It hasn’t change me, but it has changed me life, particularly when I go to the city and people recognise me, asking me to pose for photos or to sign a t-shirt, a hat, their shoes and even their forehead.“I don’t want to be famous, I just want to do what the old composers have done ... write great music.”His new-found fame has also meant more attention from girls. The shy 17-year-old doesn’t have a girlfriend and says he is waiting for that one special person. “I don’t want to go out and break a lot of hearts. I want to find that one special girl who is genuine and maybe marry one day.”During his home schooling, Chooka was taught to read sheet music, but was never given formal piano lessons.“I’m self-taught (on the piano), which gives me the flexibility to be creative in my music. I don’t play tunes, as such, just the atmosphere in my head. I can relay my good times and my bad times through my music.”To vote for Chooka, call 1902 55 333 1 or SMS CHOOKA to 1997 7772.